Lesson Plan
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Calculating Your Foodometer

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore environmental issues by completing a food production class activity. In this carbon footprint lesson, students discuss the types of foods they eat, where they come from and what types of methods are used to transport...
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Community Gardens and Propaganda Posters

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research community gardens. In this community garden lesson, students discover the history of community gardens and assess the benefits of locally grown food. Students create propaganda posters aimed at inviting...
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Composting "The Right Mix"

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the correct mix of material types for compost. In this composting lesson plan, students explore the correct amounts of different types of materials to create a compost heap. Students then create a compost heap.
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Seepy Sandwich

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore Earth science by participating in a pollution activity. In this water infiltration lesson, students utilize a water sprayer, food coloring and slices of bread to simulate how pollution can spread into our drinking water...
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Who Polluted the River?

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Study the impact of water pollution. A hands-on experiment and an interactive story about water pollution are the basis for the learning experience. 
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Biomass: Potato Power

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students put together a potato battery that powers a digital clock. In this potato battery lesson plan, students learn the connection between energy from biomass and how we can apply it.
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Solar Cell Simulation

For Teachers K - 4th
Students study photovoltaic technology. In this photovoltaic technology instructional activity, students simulate a photovoltaic system. Students discuss how to simulate a cloudy day.
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Life With Energy

For Teachers K - 4th
Students consider different forms of energy. In this energy lesson, students investigate different forms of energy. Students explore the advantages and disadvantages of these forms of energy.
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore nonrenewable energy resources. In this coal lesson, students investigate how coal is formed and how it is used as a source of energy. Students mine for "coal" using toothpicks and chocolate chip cookies.
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Garden Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the metric system. In this metric system lesson, 2nd graders compare measurements of common objects in metric units. Students compete in a garden scavenger hunt.
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Energy Conservation Lesson 1: Fossil Fuels and the Ticking Clock

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore energy production by participating in a class discussion. For this renewable energy lesson, students discuss the differences between solar, coal, wind and fossil fuel energy sources and why some are better for the...
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This Mine of Mine

For Teachers K - 4th
Students explore natural resources by conducting a geology experiment in class. For this mineral mining lesson, students discuss the types of geological material that can be found when mining and the uses for these resources such as...
Lesson Plan
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What's Cooking?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate solar energy by making sun tea.  In this ecology and solar energy lesson plan, students prepare traditional tea and "sun" tea, then record and graph data comparing color, clarity, smell and taste.
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Grass as Biomass

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore energy properties by listening to a sustainability lecture in class. In this biomass lesson, students identify what biomass is, how it can be transformed into a usable energy and how it complements the energy cycle....
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Global Water Crisis

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Assign ecologists one of five countries that struggle with access to clean water. They research the water crisis in that country and then present information to classmates. A handout was designed for each country, and a worksheet on...
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Waste Watchers

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Energy-aware learners conduct an audit on their electricity usage by recording their electric meter reading and assessing the thermostat, light bulbs, windows, and water heaters in their homes. In class, they analyze results and discuss...
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Who Owns Water

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars role play how water is allocated to different holders of water rights. In this ecology lesson, students identify the different water rights available. They explore problems associated with water use including drought,...
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Decision Making a Mock Town Meeting on a Proposed Tank Farm

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the potential hazards to the water supply. In this ecology lesson plan, students role play a town hall meeting to discuss the proposal of a storage tank construction in their place. They present their...
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An Exploration of Wind Energy and Wind Turbines

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How is wind produced and is it a good source for energy production? Get some air moving in your class. Learners take a pre-test, watch a demonstration of how electricity can be generated by wind energy, test different turbine factors for...
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Transportation Fuels: Biodiesel

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Students examine biodiesel as a fuel for transportation.  In this biodiesel lesson students complete activities using their critical thinking.
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Energy Efficiency Ambassadors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Definitely for high schoolers, this lesson is an open-ended exploration of energy efficiency. Groups of two to three junior environmental engineers design an experiment to test for efficiency. They prepare a full lab report and...
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Rename Fruits, Vegetables and Spices

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students explore fruits and vegetables. In this fruits and vegetables lesson, students study traits of various fruits, vegetables and seeds. Students rename fruits, vegetables and seeds.
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Traffic signs and signals

For Teachers K
Students understand and follow directions based on traffic signs. For this traffic signs lesson plan, students play the game red light green light and are asked why they stop and go according to the colors. They then are introduced to...
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Apple Estimation: Percentages & Subjective Reasoning

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students practice using their estimation skills by utilizing apples.  In this percentage lesson, students utilize a scale and an apple to discover the percentage of each bite they take.  Students share their data with the rest...